Christmas Cards

Mema's Online Store - Click Here

I don't really have a lot to say today so this post will be short especially for me.  First of all the weekend has been surprisingly pleasant with cooler temperatures and gentle breezes throughout the day.  Absolutely perfect for sitting outside and drinking tea or watching my Yorkie-Poo run around chasing birds.  I really do love this time of year, although its not always the best for my allergies...but today all is well and I sit here with my ice tea and my laptop enjoying the beauty God has granted us.

So now to move quickly to the card I have to share with you.  Every year I vouch to make 10-15 cards to either give to others, share at the nursing homes or to sale and this is my latest one.  

I still have more to make but this particular one is ready to be shared because it was quick and easy to make. I found my inspiration on pinterest and I think the lady's name was Cathy, a Stampin Up demonstrator.

I created this card using mostly card-stock in white, green, red and green.  I added some a bit of designer paper from an old Graphic 45 collection called "Christmas Emporium" 

I matted and layered my card-stock and added embossing to the second mat and layer set. The embossing folder was "dots" from Spellbinders (I think that was the name). 

On the next matted layer, I stamped one of the trees that is part of the "Lovely as a Tree" stamp collection from Stampin Up. I'm not sure that you can find this collection because I think it is about 4 or 5 years old.

I've had it for a very long time but I love it and every year I pull it out to make my Christmas cards. There are tons of ideas for this collection on pinterest and Youtube.

I couldn't figure out what to do on the inside so I carried over the Graphic 45 paper with all its hollies. 




Because of all the hollies on the paper I thought it needed something plain but interesting so I added a second iteration of the stamp and layered a mat as a space for a personal message to complete my card. 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Antique Roadshow -use oldest stamp (10/22)
Crazy 4 Challenges - Sketch #308 (10/31)
Catch the Bug - October Bingo Challenge (ribbon, 3 layers, Pearls) (10/24)
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Wild Woods (10/23)

Okay that's all I had to share for today, except I do need to identify my comment winner so let me do that now.

I do enjoy reading your comments and I know it takes time to read and even more time to comment so occasionly I like to say thank you.  Although I appreciate all of you, I can only give away one gift certificate.  

Selected from the comments 

on my post "Back to Copics" 

the winner of a 

Mo Manning gift voucher is: 

Dawn Lancaster!

Contact me before Sunday, October 25th at MemasCrafts2@gmail.com

Spooky Cuties

Mema's Online Store - Click Here

Hello everyone.  October is almost over and the weather is finally cooling down to tolerable temperatures which is fabulous. Soon it will be time for the little goblins, princesses, fairies and super-heroes to make their rounds gathering treats here and there. I personally enjoy hearing the words "trick or treat" coming from the smallest of the little creatures at my door. They barely know the words but there they stand ready to get whatever treat they can.  It only last a few hours where I live and that works for me, but until then let me continue forward.

I have a few Halloween cards from years past to share with you. I pulled them out and thought I would add them to my store just in case someone was looking to purchase one and to share just in case you never got to see them or perhaps they can give a bit of inspiration.  At any rate, here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Okay, I think the image is from Bugaboo and is called "Happy Hween Cat" silouette.

The fence and the lamp post were created using dies and the paper is from MME.

As always I followed through to the inside.

  

This way I don't waste anything. Even the scraps were used to create a light on the lamp post and I used the extra from the fence die as well. 

This little cutie is from Tiddlyinks and she was colored with copics of course. 

I think the hair was supposed to be a not-to-orange color. A cutie but witchy style. 

You may need to look closely to see that the paper comes from the same collection as the front. 

Here you see more of it unlike the front that is covered with embellishments and of course the image.

I hope sharing a bit of my past has inspired you or maybe made you smile.

Thanks for stopping by and remember to come back next week to see if you're the winner of my "Comments" giveaway.

Since our first winner did not claim their prize I am going to select an alternate winner for that group of dies as well, so we still have Spellbinder Dies from Group A and Group D left to giveaway so make sure your name is on the giveaway list.

As always thanks for stopping by.

Hugs from Texas

Lesia

Back to Copics

Mema's Online Store - Click Here

Beware! this post is long!

Before I share my newest creations I have to let you guys know that I was a WINNER at Cheery Lynn designs!  Yahooooo! and I will get to go shopping for a couple of new dies which I have already picked out.  I just had to share that bit of news because I don't win very often and when I do I get totally excited.

Secondly, I've noticed that there are those out there that will join your blog if you're giving away something and then leave if they don't win. Personally, I find this to be very rude and don't appreciate that behavior. It is so unfair to those that do follow and visit from time to time...not every week or day but from time to time. So to those that are only looking to win a prize please go elsewhere and don't stop here!

I would hope that you join not only for the prizes although I know they are important but because you like my work and find inspiration or can get ideas from my blog. I follow over 200 blogs and I definitely can't visit them all on a regular basis but I do stop by from time to time for inspiration or to just read the post.

I'm sorry if my saying this offends anyone but it is how I feel and if this does not apply to you then please ignore and know that I appreciate your time and thank you for your support however small it is.

Now to share two very different cards with you.  Both cards consist of images that I have had for some time but for some reason never got around to coloring. However, now that my tub of boxes aren't grabbing my attention I have wandered over to my bin where I keep printed digital images ready to be colored. I think there were 18 images in this bin needing some color to bring them to life.  Whew!! I do truly believe I am a mini hoarder or perhaps I just want to do more in my craft-room but time just isn't on my side. 

I need to use some of these paper pads I have all nicely stacked up before I run out of space for new stuff (haha).  Having said all that I'll get started with what I have to share with everyone.

For my first card I used paper from Authentique called "Blissful" and standard Hobby Lobby card-stock.

The image is from Mo Manning called "Gimme B".  I used a glitter gel pen to color her pom poms but didn't do very good since the pens were almost dried out.  Phooey! The greeting is a clear Fiskar stamp and the dies are from Spellbinders.

 I kept the inside clean and simple but used papers from the same collection.

Did I mention that I have a son that is a Cheerleader and Gymnastics Coach and that is why I found this image to be such a cutie. 
Copics I used to color this image:
Skin: E13, 11, 01,00 
Clothes/Poms: Y21, 19, 17, W8, Black
Hair: E59, 53, 49, 25

I'd like to enter this card in the following:

Lacy Sunshine Color Your World - Anything Goes (10/15)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Challenge #19 Anything Goes (10/15)

Yep I have another card to share with you.

I realize we haven't gotten past Halloween or Thanksgiving but this image just needed my attention and it makes for a great Winter or Christmas card.


It's another Mo Manning image but for the life of me I can't remember her name. I think it is "Urchin With Bird" but not sure.

I used Graphic45 Christmas paper collection from last year for this little cutie. I added some snowflakes that were punched and embossed using Tim Holtz's embossing glitter. Behind is tucked a bit of cheesecloth and a corner die from Marianne Designs and a paper doily cut with a Cherry Lynn die.

A few Recollection flowers, pearl stick pins and ribbon from Bo Bunny helped me complete this card.

On the inside I used a journaling tag and cut out a few border strips from the paper for the left side of the card and added space for a personal note on the right side.

The image was colored using copics:
Skin: E15, 13, 11, 00
Clothes (reds) R89, 39, 37, 35 and (browns) E99, 97, 55, 53

I'd like to enter this card in the following:

Glitter and Sparkle - Challenge #157 Anything Goes (10/09)
Crafty Hazel - Challenge #249 All Wrapped Up (10/08)
Crafting With Dragonflies - Challenge #44 Anything Goes (10/09)
Fab N Funky - #275 Anything Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's - Christmas Challenge October (10/30)

I know this was a really long post and I thank you for hanging out until the end...so much so that I am going to select a winner from the comments on this post to receive a gift certificate from Mo Manning Digital Pencil.

Hugs from Texas

Thanks for stopping by

Lesia

March Challenge and Announcement

To Jump Straight to Mema's Crafts Online Store

!!CLICK HERE!! 
Just Wanna Enter The Challenge

Click the Appropriate Challenge Link Below

March Challenge or Bonus Challenge

*****************************************************************************************************************************************

Hello my crafty friends and followers. 

Beginning March 2015,
challenges at Mema's Crafts
will be offered on the
first Monday of every month.
  

This means more time for you to create your project and join in the fun.
The challenges will always be Anything Goes (create what you want) with a theme.  

Some challenges won't have a theme at all which will make it even easier for you to stop by and play with us. So remember to stop by for a visit
and join the challenges.
 
Now for this month's challenge which is
 "Anything Goes"
I'd like to share what I created using a KennyK image.

Click to Buy

The image I  used is called Present Surprise and you can see it here. Before I printed the image I merged it with the words Happy Birthday using my PC.  Then I printed it using onto 85# Solar White Neenah paper and colored it with my copics. 

The designer paper is the "Mother Goose" collection from Graphic 45.  It was such a fun paper pack with lots of color I thought it would make a great birthday card for a little boy.  Not shown here (because I forgot to hot glue it down) is a red bow tied just below the image in the center.  It does add a little character to the card.

On the inside of the card I followed with the designer paper and used the same border punch to break up the colors.  

The card-stock is either Paper Studio or Recollections...I can't really tell since there isn't a barcode or anything on the back. 

This was a very easy card to make and it will be fitted inside a black envelope that sports a gold border to match the card.

The Copics I used were:

R39, 37, 35 (top and shoes)

C8, C7, C5,C3 (the gray)

B97, 95, 93,91 (Blues)

YG63 and 61

YR17, 19

E23, 29, 55

Hope my card has inspired you
to come and play with us
and don't forget that once
you play with us in our monthly challenge
be sure and vote in our bonus challenge
for a chance at more prizes.

Hugs From Texas~Lesia~

Your comments are always appreciated

Happy New Year

I've made it through another year of joy, pain, laughter, sadness, hope, and so forth.  As usual I will start the year with three resolutions the same as last year, and I'll reminiscence of the days past and imagine the days that will come this year.

What better way to celebrate the New Year than with a card and perhaps a small glass of wine combined with a sampling of various cheeses from around the world.  I just hope the effects of the wine isn't reflected in my card...you be the judge.

Created with basic Bazzill Espresso card-stock and My Mind's Eye "Portabello Road" Designer Paper. I printed the calendar from the Internet and re-sized it to fit my card. 

My embellishments include a velvet piece of ribbon and two  studded brads.  I also used a Petaloo flower and used a Martha Stewart fern punch to add some greenery. 

My image is Mo Manning's Digital Pencil "Herald Harry" that I colored with copics.  My inspiration came from Tracy McDonald.

Copics Used:

skin--E000, E00, E11, E13

hair--E21, E23, E25, E27, E29

clothing--B0000, B000, B21, B41, B45, B97

To all my lovely friends, crafters and followers

thanks for stopping by and don't forget

to join in our newest challenge by

clicking on the Challenge Tab above.

!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hugs

~Lesia~

The Frenzy Continues

Yep, I'm back with another imitation of a Mo Manning favorite.  I think I almost captured it completely, but there are still a few subtle differences.  Do you see the difference?...not to easy huh?

Anyway let me start with the original creation by none other than Tracy.  Hello my lovely crafting mentor person....

Tracy's coloring skills never cease to amaze me...just fabulous I tell you.  You can check out the details of her card by clicking here.

While you're there check out her tutorials and other creations.  You will find yourself wanting to try your coloring skills and what I like is her ability to create something lovely with very little.

Not a lot of over-kill and yet a creation that draws attention and shares a message.  Now to move on to my very own creation of which I am simply proud.  Now to share my lift of this delightful card.

My card doesn't appear to be as bright as the original but I am sure I used the same designer paper so perhaps I don't have the best lighting in my craft-room.

Anyway I followed the basic coloring scheme and layout using what I had on hand for the most part.

I managed to get the greeting using my PC and Word, and the buttons came in a pack I had gotten some time ago.  As I said I am getting used to coloring still but my own technique and style is starting to merge although I find it real interesting to see how others color.  

Light to dark or dark to light, or do they lay a base color and then start the shadows.  Everyone does their own thing and for some reason they all turn out pretty darn good.

I continued using the left over paper to finish off the inside allowing a space for a personal message but keeping the color scheme the same inside.

Additionally, I have made it a habit to always create an envelope for every card I make.  This way should I need to give it up, the inside will be complete, my stamp will be on the back, and there will be a endorsed envelope that matches the card making it even more personal and special.

For this card I used "7 Gypsies "Venice" DSP, Mo's Digital Image "Sailor Boys" Distress Inks, Miscellaneous embellishments and the following copic markers:  

Skin E00, E11, E13
Hair E55, E57
Clothing B93, B95, B97, R35, R37, R39
Boat E35, E37, E39, E000, E00, B000, B00
Shading E41, E42, E43, C00, CO, C2

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Sister Act Card - Challenge #74

Craft for the Craic-Challenge#8 "Something With Circles" (9/28)

A Creative Romance - Anything Goes (9/25)

Treasure Time Rubber Stamp - Anything Goes (9/19)

Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge - Anything Goes (9/18)

Crafting At The Weekend - Anything Goes (9/25)

Lifting Case Frenzy

Hello everyone.  This past week I have been so busy just handling everyday things that I really couldn't get my noggin in the creative groove. Hackers make it really hard to keep trust in others...this week my debit card was compromised so I've had to deal with that mess.  Lucky for me "Bank of America" was on top of things and noticed an inconsistent or unusual spending habit for me and immediately began to decline charges against my debit account.  So we think the crooks got nothing! It had to be someone with a weight problem because the items were all around nutrisystem, treadmill, scales and stuff like that. Glad to know that folks want to be healthy but not at my expense.

So just to keep my faith and not lose sleep I went to visit my friend "Tracy" to check out what she had created that I felt I could case and I found quite a few, although my coloring will never match hers.



First let me share with you the original card that caught my eye and click here to go to Tracy's post where I found it.  You'll have to scroll down to around July 9th to get to it.

Isn't it absolutely adorable? I have several Mo Manning images and if I don't have one but need it, then its off to get it.  You can't go wrong with Mo's images.  They are all so perfect for any occasion and for any age as well.  But moving right along I want to show you my version of this adorable card.

And here is my inspirational version.  I know it is missing in so many ways but that's okay. I did try to follow the color scheme and capture the overall concept of the design.

I enjoyed coloring it and now that I have a complete set of Spectrum Noir, Copics and ProMarkers I feel like the Queen of Markers...I just have to learn how to master each of them.  One day at a time, right?

So what is the verdict? I think it turned out pretty good and my coloring on this one did make me smile for once.



I hope Tracy takes my mimic as a compliment because between her and a few other designers, I think I have grown quite a bit in my coloring, my style and my technique, but when I find it to stressing to sketch out a design its good to know that you can always find inspiration on the internet.

Different styles, techniques and designers.  From Shabby Chic, CAS, Steampunk, Whimsical and even the Gothic and Dark can be found.  I tell you when I stress I surf and it usually helps bring back that smile.  Oh such a delight this crafting is.

The paper used was from My Mind's Eye and I forgot all about writing down the markers.  I did mix both my copics and the Spectrum Noir... and yes they do blend together.  The new brush tip on the Spectrum Noir is a bit different from the Copic but work the same with less pressure.  Give'em a try.

Okay that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Lesia

New Challenges

Hello to all and many thanks to those of you that continue to support Mema's Crafts by participating in our challenges or by simply making comments on our posts.

Mema's Crafts has upgraded her monthly challenges to bi-weekly but you only have to enter once a month to be eligible for both prizes.  This month the challenge is "ANYTHING GOES" so get those projects ready and enter early for an opportunity to win not once but twice.

Just click the April Challenge tab above to enter or just click HERE!



Once you've entered my challenge I would like to invite you to visit "613 Avenue Create" where there are more prizes to be won and the challenges are always fun.

This week the challenge theme is "flowers", so hop on over and take a chance at a few prizes.  Here is my donation as a DT member.






Card Supplies:
DP: Prima
CS: Recollections
Flowers: Prima and Wild Orchid
Other Embellishments:  Stick Pin: Wild Orchid; Martha Stewart border punch and Spellbinders dies. Recollection pearls and Ranger distress inks.

Don't forget, click the tab above to enter April's Anything Goes Challenge and  then visit 613 Avenue Create.

Thanks for stopping by and I would appreciate it if you would tell a friend about Mema's Crafts!

Lesia

March Challenge

Hello everyone and welcome to this month's challenge!  I hope everyone that participates will have fun and spread the word about Mema's monthly challenges.

This month our challenge theme is "ANYTHING GOES"!!!!!

 Yep its the one we all love, but this time I've added an optional twist to the challenge.  The optional twist to the challenge should you decide to accept it is "Pockets Inside 'N' Out".  If you can tuck something, hide something, or give something then its a pocket.  So come on and let's play the pocket game.

You have until March 28th to enter your project, and it doesn't have to be a card.  Anything Goes!  There are several ways to win and multiple prizes to be won.

 Digi and rubber stamps from KennyK are a fun and edgy way to add the perfect dose of attitude and style to all your creations!  

The winner of this challenge will receive 5 Digi images of their choice from KennyK Downloads.

NOTE 1: Your entry does not have to contain pockets but if it does and you win...I'll add a bonus prize in addition to your KennyK digis.

NOTE 2:  If you use one of our sponsors images your entry will count twice, plus add a pocket and win an additional bonus prize.

A minimum of 10 entries is required in order for me to award a prize so tell your friends to join us.

Don't forget to follow the rules located in the Rules Tab above.  That's all there is to it so lets play.  Here is what my girls and I have created.

Ari

The first card made with Graphic 45 paper has a pocket where a tag is tucked with a message.

Clean, simple and very masculine.  The inside uses the same paper and is layered with a space for a personal message.

The next card is a concertina card that has lots of pockets on both sides offering lots of hiding space for tags, candy and other small trinkets.

If you'd like to give it a try check out my tutorials.

Scrap paper was used for this card and a belly band is used to hold the image, and keep the card closed.

Here we see one side of the card opened.  Notice the many pockets.  This style card is perfect as a mini-album to hold all those wallet size photos.

Lesia

The next card we'd like to share is a hiddden pocket behind the image.  Here we use this pocket to stuff the sentiment.

The paper collection "The Craftsman" released by Prima.  The image is courtesy of our sponsor KennyK.




Inside is a larger pocket that can be used to hold money or a gift card.  Several other items could be placed in this pocket with a little creativity.

Our next card is indeed a pocket card.  Shown here, this card comes complete with the assembly of an actual pocket, stitching and all.

This pocket seems to be holding a lovely floral arrangement and is home for another KennyK design.

We've shown you our pockets,  and now its your turn to show us how you pocket stuff.  So let's get this party started.  Enter your creations below and show us your style.

We can't wait to see your creations!

Thanks for stopping by and playing with us.

Hugz ~Lesia~